The Nice, The Bad and Blackjack Odds Craps Odds

Did you know there are more than a dozen popular styles of blackjack? Although the basics are the same, the specific house rules can improve or reduce your odds. For example, when there are more decks in the shoe, the house advantage increases if everything else remains the same. It’s smart to review the rules before you bet so you’ll know the number of times you can split, when doubling is available, whether you can surrender, and when the dealer is required to hit or stand.

While you’ll typically be paid 1 to 1 when you win, 3 to 2 for blackjack, and 2 to 1 for insurance bets, you might encounter games that pay 6 to 5 for blackjack. See how the house edge stacks up when you play the most popular variations correctly.

Classic Blackjack 0.13%

Vegas Single Deck 0.35%

Atlantic City Blackjack 0.36%

Spanish Blackjack 0.38%

Vegas Downtown Blackjack 0.39%

European Blackjack 0.42%

Big Five Blackjack 0.47%

Double Exposure 0.69%

Super Fun 21 0.94%

Don’t forget that because blackjack requires you to make in-game decisions, your odds fluctuate throughout the game. Since the dealer’s play is governed by a set of rules, it’s always wise to ignore your instincts and play using basic strategy. You can consult a basic strategy table, which will tell you know to make the most of your odds given whatever information you have available at the time.

Craps odds, like the game itself, can look complicated. That&rsquo;s because there are so many different types of bets. If you’re a beginner, you can easily be overwhelmed by the table layout or number of betting areas alone. While you can learn about the odds and gameplay in greater details in our craps guide, we’ll run down the payouts and house advantage for the best bets below.

Pass Line or Come pays 1 to 1 with a 1.41% house edge

Don’t Pass or Don’t Come pays 1 to 1 with a 1.36% house edge

Odds 4 or 10 pays 2 to 1 with no house edge

Odds 5 or 9 pays 3 to 2 with no house edge

Odds 6 or 8 pays 6 to 5 with no house edge

Odds against 4 or 10 pays 1 to 2 with no house edge

Odds against 5 or 9 pays 2 to 3 with no house edge

Odds against 6 or 8 pays 5 to 6 with no house edge

Place bet on 6 or 8 pays 7 to 6 with a 1.52% house edge

Although there is no house edge on the odds bets listed above, these so-called free bets do come with a cost. These are effectively side bets placed after a point is thrown. In order to place these bets, you’ll already have to have skin in the game. In addition, casinos set limits on these bets. Still, you should make odds bets a part of your game.